Douche bag

ABSTRACT

A douche bag provided with a reservoir for retaining a measured amount of liquid. A delivery chamber is connected to the reservoir and a syringe is positioned in the chamber which acts as a valve to direct the flow of the liquid from the reservoir into the delivery chamber. Outlets in the delivery chamber permit the outward flow of the liquid. The syringe is provided with means enabling it to be inserted into, and distend the vaginal cavity.

United States Patent Marco et a1.

[ 1 Sept. 12, 1972 DOUCHE BAG [72] Inventors: John L. Marco, 601 Dow St., Oakhurst, NJ. 07755; Irving Henry Saxe, 75 Central Park, W., New York, NY. 10023 [22] Filed: July 6, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 52,169

[52] US. Cl ..l28/251, 128/242 [51 1 Int. Cl. ..A6'lm 7/02 [58] Field of Search ..128/251, 248, 239, 242, 243, 128/244, 227

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 797,676 8/1904 Flowers ..l28/242 2,650,592 9/1953 Borda ..l28/242 X 2,010,457 8/ 1935 Kanner 128/25 1 X 3,371,665 3/1968 Druckenmiller et al... 128/227 3,163,164 12/1964 Waldman ..l28/227 Primary ExaminerRicha.rd A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko Attorney-Joseph Bercovitz ABSTRACT A douche bag provided with a reservoir for retaining a measured amount of liquid. A delivery chamber is connected to the reservoir and a syringe is positioned in the chamber which acts as a valve to direct the flow of the liquid from the reservoir into the delivery chamber. Outlets in the delivery chamber permit the outward flow of the liquid. The syringe is provided with means enabling it to be inserted into, and distend the vaginal cavity.

7Claims,3DrawingFigures PATENTEB SEP 12 m2 FIGS INVENTORS JD/l/V L. MARCO 2 h- S'AXE BY w Arman/1 DOUCHE BAG This invention relates to a vaginal douche bag, and more particularly to a douche bag and syringe of the disposable type for use in washing, disinfecting and/or applying medicaments to the vagina.

The vaginal orifice normally leads to a vaginal cavity or vault which is generally in a collapsed state. Multiple folds and creases are generally characteristic of the membrane of the vault in its collapsed state. In order to effectively administer a liquid medicament or antiseptic to the cavity or vault, or otherwise disinfect the vaginal cavity, it is obvious that liquids applied therein should effect contact with the membrane of the walls and the area in and between the creases and folds of the membrane of the vagina.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a douche bag and syringe which will effectively direct a fluid within the vaginal cavity so as to thoroughly contact and wet the entire tissue therein, especially within the creases and folds of the membrane of the vaginal cavity.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a douche bag for use in washing and disinfecting the vaginal cavity in which a measured amount of liquid with, or without, medication can be introduced into the vagina without injury, pain, discomfort or inconvenience to the user thereof.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a douche bag and associated syringe for washing and disinfecting the vaginal cavity, which is adapted to be inserted into the vaginal vault in a collapsed state and then inflated to effect an expansion of the cavity so that the liquid introduced through the syringe will thoroughly wet and wash the organ.

The present invention has as a further object the provision of a syringe for use with a douche bag which will effect a distention of the vaginal walls and will hold such walls spaced apart so that liquid introduced therein may be freely circulated, especially into the folds and creases of the vaginal walls and thus permit a more thorough wetting of the entire vaginal tissue.

Another object herein is the provision of a douche bag and its associated syringe which is compact, easily transportable and which is disposable after a single use.

Still a further object of this invention is the provision of a unique syringe for use with a douche bag which is limited to entry into the vaginal cavity within a depth range concomitant with safety.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a douche bag and its associated syringe which is of simple construction, permitting relatively low cost production and which will be inexpensive to the consumer.

The foregoing aims, objects, advantages and inventive features of the present invention are attained by the provision of a bag having a reservoir for containing a measured amount of liquid and/or medicaments. Connected to the reservoir, there is provided a delivery chamber which permits the flow of a liquid to exit therethrough. Disposed within the delivery chamber and connecting with the reservoir, there is provided a unique syringe acting as a valve to regulate the flow of a liquid from the reservoir to the delivery chamber and which additionally acts to distend the tissues of the vaginal cavity and direct the flow of a liquid therein.

Other aims, objects, advantages and inventive features of the present invention will be apparent to those versed in the art from the following description of a specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts in the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the douche bag and associated syringe, in accordance with the invention, showing the reservoir filled with a liquid;

FIG. 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the passage of the liquid from the reservoir to the delivery chamber and outwardly therefrom, effected by the use of the syringe in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, the disposable douche bag 10, preferably fabricated of a thin deformable plastic film or any liquid-tight material which is chemically inert to body fluid and douche liquids, comprises an upper liquid storage reservoir 12 for retaining a quantity of liquid or medicament to be used in the douching process. At the top of reservoir 12, there is provided an entry opening 14 serving as a filling entrance to reservoir 12. A cutout 16 for gripping the bag or permitting it to be placed on a hook for suspension is generally disposed in the uppermost portion of the bag 10. Reservoir 12 is further provided with a scale 18 lonrate of the flow of the liquid passing through the aper-- tures will be considerably less than the rate of flow of the liquid entering the delivery chamber 20 in order to effect inflation of said chamber as the liquid enters therein.

The syringe 30, preferably fabricatedof'aresilient material, is a substantially clamp-like device, the main body portion or jaws 32, 34 thereof being disposed within delivery chamber 20 and the handle portion 31 extending through neck 26 and into reservoir 12. The neck 26, separating the reservoir and chamber, is a narrow passageway formed by a band 28, such as a plastic or metal ring, a rubber band or the like, and extends around the syringe 30 disposed therein, and bag 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The neck prevents the flow of the liquid between the reservoir and chamber and specifically directs such flow from the reservoir into and through the syringe and into the delivery chamber as will be presently described.

Turning now more specifically to the syringe 30, said member. is comprised of a pair of jaws 32, 34 respectively. .law 32 is a substantially tubular member, provided with a closed, blunted end to form an introducer portion 36, the medial portion 37 of said member being hollow and semi-cylindrical and the upper portion thereof forming part of handle 31. Jaw 34 is a substantially hollow, semi-cylindrical member affixed by a bolt 38 to jaw 32 to form a pincer-like action of the two jaws. Jaw 34 extends at its lowest end to overlay introducer portion 36, and at its upper end to form the remaining part of handle 31. As indicated in FIG. 2, jaw 32 is adapted to be nested within jaw 34. It is to be noted however, that shapes other than cylindrical may be effectively utilized.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a quantity of liquid 40 can be introduced into reservoir 12, alone or in combination with a medicament. Since sealing band 28 disposed around syringe 30 directs the flow of the liquid into and through the handle portion of syringe 30, very little seepage or escape of liquid occurs at this point. In order, however, to prevent any liquid seepage, a clamp 29 can be effectively interposed above neck 26 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. While the liquid is retained in reservoir 12, chamber 20 is generally flaccid. By carefully folding the flaccid portion of the bag around syringe 30, the patient is able to introduce this portion of the bag together with the syringe into the vaginal cavity, the handle of said syringe acting as an effective stop to prevent deep insertion and thus avoiding injury to the vaginal tissue. After the entry into the vagina of the syringe and delivery chamber is effected, clamp 29 is released and the patient, by squeezing handle 31 of the syringe, opens the jaws, permitting flow of the liquid into the delivery chamber and simultaneously distending the vaginal cavity. Since, as heretofore indicated, apertures 22 are of such number and size as to effectively retard the outward rate of flow of the liquid entering the delivery chamber, such chamber 20 tends to inflate, and in combination with the spreading of the jaws 32, 34 by the patient, the vaginal cavity can be greatly distended so that it can be thoroughly wetted by the flow of the liquid through outlet apertures 22.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a bag provided with a reservoir and chamber separated by a narrow neck channel, the practice of the invention can be equally effective by the provision of a separate reservoir bag connected to a delivery chamber bag by means of tubing or the like. In such case, the reservoir can be affixed at a distance from the site of the syringe if such requirement is necessary in a hospital or like environment.

It is to be noted that the preferred fabrication of the device as herein described makes the douche bag extremely compact and suitable for transportation as well as sufficiently inexpensive to be disposable.

While the present invention herein described and disclosed constitutes a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications are contemplated as being within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

We claim:

1. A douche bag fabricated of a liquid-tight, deformable material for wetting the vaginal cavity, comprising:

a liquid storage reservoir having an entry opening for receiving aliquid therein;

a delivery chamber having a plurality of outlet aper tures along the surface thereof adapted to permit a liquid to flow therethrough;

connecting means joining said reservoir to said delivery chamber; defining a channel between said storage reservoir and delivery chamber; syringe means fabricated of a substantially rigid material comprising a pair of semi-cylindrical hol low members interposed between said reservoir and chamber and partially pro ecting into said delivery chamber for retaining, controlling and directing the flow of a liquid into the delivery chamber whereby the flow of a liquid from the reservoir is directed into said syringe means controlling the flow of the liquid and into the delivery chamber, said syringe means further adapted to introduce the delivery chamber into and distend the vaginal cavity of the user thereof.

2. A douche bag according to claim 1 wherein the apertures 2. A douche bag according to claim 1 wherein the apertures of said delivery chamber are disposed in the upper area thereof and are of a size and number to retard the outward flow of a liquid entering said delivery chamber to effect inflation of the chamber by the liquid entering therein.

3. A douche bag according to claim 1 wherein said reservoir is further provided with a calibrated scale upon the longitudinal surface thereof for measuring the volume of liquid therein.

4. A douche bag according to claim 1 wherein said bag is provided with suspending means substantially at the top of said reservoir.

5. A douche bag according to claim 1 wherein said syringe means is a substantially pincer-like device comprising:

a pair of substantially semi-cylindrical hollow members, on of said members adapted to be nested within the other of said members whereby a substantially hollow tubular structure is formed;

an outwardly flared portion at the top of each of said members forming the handle portion of said device; means pivotally joining said members medially therealong whereby upon application of pressure to the handle portion said semi-cylindrical members are unnested and opened and alternately nested and closed in a pincer-like action and;

means for retaining a liquid within said tubular structure when said semi-cylindrical members are closed and;

means for introducing said syringe means into the vaginal cavity.

6. A douche bag according to claim 8 wherein the means for retaining a liquid inside said tubular structure is a solid tubular portion at the end of the nested semi-cylindrical member.

7. A douche bag according to claim 8 wherein said means for introducing said syringe means into the vaginal cavity is a blunted end at the end of said nested semi-cylindrical member.

7. A douche bag according to claim 8 wherein said means for introducing said syringe means into the vaginal cavity is a blunted end at the end of said nested semi-cylindrical member. 

1. A douche bag fabricated of a liquid-tight, deformable material for wetting the vaginal cavity, comprising: a liquid storage reservoir having an entry opening for receiving a liquid therein; a delivery chamber having a plurality of outlet apertures along the surface thereof adapted to permit a liquid to flow therethrough; connecting means joining said reservoir to said delivery chamber; defining a channel between said storage reservoir and delivery chamber; syringe means fabricated of a substantially rigid material comprising a pair of semi-cylindrical hollow members interposed between said reservoir and chamber and partially projecting into said delivery chamber for retaining, controlling and directing the flow of a liquid into the delivery chamber whereby the flow of a liquid from the reservoir is directed into said syringe means controlling the flow of the liquid and into the delivery chamber, said syringe means further adapted to introduce the delivery chamber into and distend the vaginal cavity of the user thereof.
 2. A douche bag according to claim 1 wherein the apertures
 2. A douche bag according to claim 1 wherein the apertures of said delivery chamber are disposed in the upper area thereof and are of a size and number to retard the outward flow of a liquid entering said delivery chamber to effect inflation of the chamber by the liquid entering therein.
 3. A douche bag according to claim 1 wherein said reservoir is further provided with a calibrated scale upon the lonGitudinal surface thereof for measuring the volume of liquid therein.
 4. A douche bag according to claim 1 wherein said bag is provided with suspending means substantially at the top of said reservoir.
 5. A douche bag according to claim 1 wherein said syringe means is a substantially pincer-like device comprising: a pair of substantially semi-cylindrical hollow members, on of said members adapted to be nested within the other of said members whereby a substantially hollow tubular structure is formed; an outwardly flared portion at the top of each of said members forming the handle portion of said device; means pivotally joining said members medially therealong whereby upon application of pressure to the handle portion said semi-cylindrical members are unnested and opened and alternately nested and closed in a pincer-like action and; means for retaining a liquid within said tubular structure when said semi-cylindrical members are closed and; means for introducing said syringe means into the vaginal cavity.
 6. A douche bag according to claim 8 wherein the means for retaining a liquid inside said tubular structure is a solid tubular portion at the end of the nested semi-cylindrical member.
 7. A douche bag according to claim 8 wherein said means for introducing said syringe means into the vaginal cavity is a blunted end at the end of said nested semi-cylindrical member. 